WORLD Mental Health Day will be marked in Southport with a joint event planned by specialist mental health provider Mersey Care NHS Trust and the YMCA.

The YMCA on Hoghton Street will host an afternoon of fun, activities and health promotion information on Wednesday, October 10.

The event, from noon to 4pm, is free.

People are welcome to drop in at the YMCA to take part in the following activities: a climbing wall, gym, aerobics, Tai Chi, skateboarding, rollerblading, badminton and football. For further details, contact the YMCA on 01704 538317.

One in four of the population will suffer some form of mental health issue during their lifetime, with depression and anxiety being the most common mental health problem.

Clinical lead for Mersey Care’s Sefton early intervention service Iain Wright said: “There is growing recognition that our pace of life serves only to increase our levels of stress and distress too. There is also evidence about how exercise has a direct positive effect on our mental state – the feel good factor – and the link between health and activity is well documented.

“Just like eating a healthy diet and looking after our physical health, the choices we make about our lifestyles affect our mental wellbeing. In recognition of this, Mersey Care has joined with YMCA, long time advocates of community involvement, and the local Sefton community to celebrate World Mental Health Day 2007.”